Aha! I've finally found the thread I've been longing for!I'm a beginner but am hoping to do FLM in 4:30 with lots of training!I was wondering about pacemakers. As there's bound to be a huge group of people trying to follow them, and some people will inevitably slow down and not keep up, isn't it impossible to keep track of them? Do they wear fluorescent colours so you can't miss them?I'm worried I'll end up following the wrong person!

don't worry Banana - yup they have loads of people following, but they are ultra fit and carry a big flag with "sub 4:30" raised above heads! I managed to hang on for 13 miles in 2003 - my first attempt - but gradually lost them and finished in 4:39:27 ! Was delighted tho' brill day and will be trying to hang on to sub 4:30 pacer til the finish next year IF i get in!

Ahh, I see. I'm not convinced I'll be able to follow them right through. I recently ran a 1/2 marathon in 2hrs 12mins but I don't know if I'll be able to keep that pace whilst doubling the distance. I'd be extremely happy with 4:39.You never know, I may find some speed I didn't know I had. I reckon leg strengthening exercises are the key. As I said before, I'm a beginner so am not in my full stride yet.I'll look forward to running with loads of people going at the same pace as me. Hope we both get in!

You're probably right, but I just don't have time to do anything more when I'm running lots, i.e 4/5 times week in build up to FLM

I followed the runners world marathon training plan from mag OBSESSIVELEY! Worked for me first time round, but think I'll be slightly less obsessive this time! E.g if it said weekly total 32miles, and I'd only done say 28 - I thought that was DISASTROUS, and even though I stuck to MOST of it religously, I was extremely wound up that I'd probably fail because I'd cut the very occasional session a tiny bit short!

That said,I think the VERY long runs are critical, and I did 2x20, 1x 22, along with 2 18s which was more than reccommended, but would again be nervous of doing much less as it worked and got me round reasonably comfortably.(ie didn't collapse over line, and actually enjoyed the last mile!!!!) Huge sacrifices re family for quite alot of Sundays!!

The other thing I'd reccomend is to do a couple more half maras - say Autumn and Spring; can be v motivatin especially if your time improves. Also a couple of the big spriong halves have RW pacers so you can practice "hanging on in there!" Was complete beginner myself pre FLM, with just one half under my belt, so go for it!!

I was exactly the same whilst following the runners world 1/2 marathon training plan. I was on holiday for part of it and so bailed whilst on a couple of the runs due to the heat. It really got me down that I couldn't do what was scheduled.

I have a training plan for the marathon but the longest run is one of 20 miles, with two 17 mile runs being the next biggest. I'm a bit concerned that one run of 20 miles is not enough practice so i think I might add a mile of two to some of the longer runs. It will give me more confidence on the day. I won't be sacrificing my family so much as my boyfriend, but he will just have to cycle with me if he doesn't like it. I already have donations/sponsors to The Prostate Cancer Charity, so i can't back out now.

That said, do you know of any other marathons in spring in case I don't get a place for London?

Morning!Paris is also Spring, and easier to get into I believe! Don't know about UK marathons as personally I would never get round without a huge crowd and atmosphere as in London! However, if you are raising cash for the charity why not contact them and see if you can have a Gold Bond place? That way you're guaranteed! Most have minimum fund raising targets - I ran for Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and their target was 1,000 pounds - not easy with training as well, but had lots of support and managed it! However, just can't run again for charity as did another huge fund raiser the year before for a China Great Wall Trek - think my friends will be crossing the street when they see me if I try to do any more charity work!!!Good Luck

Good morning, y'all. I had originally started the 'sub4 hour marathon, anybody?' thread, but due to injury, a time between 4 and 4 and a half hours is probably going to be more realistic. Still, it helps having more than one target,I suppose!I have a deferred place from this year, and would describe myself as a 'lapsed' runner, trying to make some sort of comeback!I work a lot of night duties, and struggle to fit in the training sometimes due to being constantly tired!I presume their will be pacers for our range of times.Does anyone know which build-up races the pacers will probably be at?

norm, i go between this and the sub-4 thread, too. how's your training going with parker's book? i did my first recovery run yesterday and it was pathetic. had to walk most of it to stay under my recovery ceiling.

I would get a charity place but I'm dead set on running for The Prostate Cancer Charity and you have to guarrantee £2000 to get a gold bond place with them, which I'm not sure I can do. I've already started fundraising for them (up to £420 at the mo) so I can't easily run for another charity. I've recently joined the uni x-country club who have some places and I'm told that I'm quite likely to get one, so between that and the ballot, I'm just crossing my fingers!

Normski, there is the Silverstone half, think they always go there, and normally one in B'ham, Manchester, don't know about London. I ran with the same pacer in 2003 at Fleet Half as the FLM. Only difference was I lost him at FLM after 13 miles, but stuck with him at Fleet and got self a pb into the bargain!!!

Normski,I will probably be doing the Silverstone 1/2, and live in Sussex - maybe link up if you don't fancy driving. Have done it for the last two years and followed RW pacers each time - PB this year - 15 mins better than last year.

Hi,Smithy-boy. Sorry about the ankle. Don't do anything too hasty. Barns Green is a half that I've heard about many times over the years, but have never entered. Maybe next year!Your profile is empty, so I don't know whereabouts you are. Sharing the driving would be a good idea. I'll go onto the FLM website and get some info the Silverstone event.Feel free to email me directly if you'd rather [see profile]

I started this thread and am having increasing doubts that I'll make it in 4.30. I've run two half-marathons recently, both in 2.21 and 2.23 respectively, having to walk in both from around mile 10 for a short while in each following mile. I'm just not getting the miles in at present : ran 46 minutes today OK and have some shorter races coming up in next few weeks. Then Stevenage Half hopefully round without walking !

I'm in!!! Just found out today I've got a golden bond place with Tommys the baby charity (Only £2,000 to raise!!!). I'm hoping to do sub 4.30. I managed 2:16 in a recent half and hopefully with 6 months hard training I should manage it! How come all of a sudden my legs feel like they're carrying an injury in every muscle / tendon / bone etc!! Must be the FEAR.......

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